I think I did it, I’ve found that the right gadgets can truly enhance daily life. Here are the essential gadgets I recommend for the average Zimbabwean, each with 3 top recommendations to fit different budgets and needs.
A Smartphone
Of course, this is the first item on the list. We all have them and yeah, smartphones are essential for staying connected and doing tasks on the go.
a. Budget-Friendly: Tecno Spark 6
| Price | $$ |
|---|
| Use Case | Perfect for everyday use, social media, and some casual gaming. |
| My Take | While this can't be the first thing I think of when asked for smartphone recommendations but if you are on a tight budget, I recommend this over any big smartphone manufacturers' budget versions |
b. Mid-Range: Samsung Galaxy A55
| Price | $$$ |
|---|
| Use Cases | Great for some casual photography, multitasking and moderate gaming |
| My Take | The Galaxy A55 offers excellent camera quality and a smooth user experience powered by Samsung's OneUI |
c. Premium: Apple iPhone 16 Pro
| Price | $$$$ |
|---|
| Use Cases | Ideal for high-end photography, intensive gaming, and professional apps |
| My Take | While it's not always my first choice flagship device, I had to choose the iPhone for this one because of it's video recording capabilities and seamless ecosystem |
2. Laptops
Another classic we all need is a reliable laptop, which is crucial for both work and leisure.
a. Budget-Friendly: Lenovo IdeaPad 3
| Price | $$$ |
|---|
| Use Cases | Suitable for basic or light productivity and web browsing |
| My Take | I appreciate the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 for its affordability and dependable performance for everyday tasks, and I think it's best to use it as a ChromeBook to get full performance from it |
b. Mid-Range: Dell Inspiron 15
| Price | $$$ |
|---|
| Use Cases | Perfect for multitasking, lowkey multimedia editing and some moderate gaming |
| My Take | The Dell Inspiron 15 handles multitasking needs effortlessly, well not effortlessly, but you can push it to extreme conditions and it'll still be fine. |
c. Premium: Apple MacBook Pro 16
| Price | $$$$ |
|---|
| Use Cases | Best for professional video editing, software development and demanding tasks |
| My Take | The MacBook Pro 16 might not be the most powerful laptop on the market, and definitely not the best for gaming for it's price range, but when it comes to productivity, it's a really solid computer that will actually get you through effortlessly |
3. A Smartwatch
Niche, yes, but it's an excellent device to have. Their main purpose is to keep you connected and help track your health seamlessly.
a. Budget-Friendly: Xiaomi Mi Watch Lite
| Price | $$ |
|---|
| Use Cases | Fitness tracking, notifications, timers and some other basic watch functions |
| My Take | This one's mainly a fitness tracker, but it's perfect for monitoring your daily activities. |
b. Mid-Range: Samsung Galaxy Watch 6
| Price | $$$ |
|---|
| Use Cases | Advanced health monitoring, customizable watch faces, app integrations, and you get full WearOS (Android for watches) software |
| My Take | While it isn't the current flagship, the Galaxy Watch 6 provides full-on health insights and integrates smoothly with most smartphones especially Samsung ones |
c. Premium: Apple Watch Ultra
| Price | $$$$ |
|---|
| Use Cases | Comprehensive health tracking, seamless Apple ecosystem integration, and everything the Galaxy Watch does |
| My Take | I wouldn't recommend getting the new one as well for this one since the first gen was already a great performing premium device |
4. Wireless Earbuds
For me, high-quality sound and freedom from wires are a must for my daily routine. I don't know about you guys, but wireless earbuds must be essential for everyone.
a. Budget-Friendly: Realme Buds Q3
| Price | $$ |
|---|
| Use Case | They're earphones, so you know what they're for, but don't get any water or sweat on them |
| My Take | Great sound quality for their price but don't get too active with them |
b. Mid-Range: Sony WF-XB700
| Price | $$$ |
|---|
| Use Cases | Again, listening to music, with enhanced bass and audio quality for audiophiles |
| My Take | They have more bass, and you can make your workouts and music sessions more enjoyable |
c. Premium: Apple AirPods Pro 3
| Price | $$$ |
|---|
| Use Cases | Active noise cancellation and they also integrate well with the apple ecosystem |
| My Take | They have superior sound quality and I can confidently say these are the pinnacle of in-ear earphones when it comes to quality |
5. Smart Home Devices
Get smart home gadgets, the'll make your life more convenient, trust me...
a. Budget-Friendly: TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug
| Price | $$ |
|---|
| Use Cases | Remote control of appliances, scheduling, and energy monitoring. |
| My Take | You might get or have a different smart plug, but they're game-changers for managing home devices remotely |
b. Mid-Range: Google Nest Thermostat
| Price | $$ |
|---|
| Use Cases | Smart temperature control, energy savings, and remote access. |
| My Take | This might be irrelevant to most of the people reading this, but if you do need a thermostat, get this one. |
c. Premium: Amazon Echo Show
| Price | $$$ |
|---|
| Use Cases | Central smart home hub, video calls, streaming, and home automation control. |
| My Take | This should be at the heart of every smart home, it makes daily tasks and communication effortless. Even the Echo Pop and Dot are good enough, but for a premium item, get this. |
6. Gaming Consoles
For gaming enthusiasts like me, and those who don't fancy dropping thousands for a good gaming experience, consoles are the way to go.
a. Budget-Friendly: Nintendo Switch Lite
| Price | $$ |
|---|
| Use Cases | Portable gaming and casual play. |
| My Take | The Switch Lite is perfect for gaming on the go and enjoying a variety of fun games. |
b. Mid-Range: Xbox Series S
| Price | $$$ |
|---|
| Use Cases | High-performance gaming, immersive graphics, and Xbox exclusive titles. |
| My Take | This all-digital console provides an incredible gaming experience alongside its stunning graphics and extensive game library. |
c. Premium: PlayStation 5
| Price | $$$ |
|---|
| Use Cases | Ultimate gaming experience, 4K gaming, extensive game library. |
| My Take | The PS5 is my top choice for its powerful performance and it's large array of games. |
7. Tablets
While they aren't essential gadgets, tablets perfectly balance portability and functionality.
a. Budget-Friendly: Samsung Galaxy Tab A8
| Price | $$$ |
|---|
| Use Cases | Media consumption, light productivity, and educational purposes. |
| My Take | The Galaxy Tab A8 is great for watching videos and handling basic. |
b. Mid-Range: Apple iPad Air 6
| Price | $$$ |
|---|
| Use Cases | Creative work, multitasking, and high-quality media. |
| My Take | The iPad Air 6 is essential for creative projects and it offers a smooth, versatile experience. |
c. Premium: Microsoft Surface Pro 10
| Price | $$$ |
|---|
| Use Cases | Professional work, graphic design, and versatile computing. |
| My Take | The Surface Pro 10 is a go-to for professional tasks, thanks to its powerful performance and flexibility, and I know it's a surprise that I didn't pick an iPad for this, the surface is just as good in my opinion. |
Conclusion
I could have added even more devices, like power banks, laptop stands, and wireless accessories, but I think these are fine. From smartphones to tablets, these gadgets can significantly enhance daily life.
